"I Am Your Leader" is a song by Nicki Minaj featuring Cam'ron and Rick Ross. It serves as the fifth track on her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, released on April 2, 2012. The official music video was released on August 24, 2012.
Background[]
A poll was posted on Minaj's official website, on May 24, 2012, asking the fans to choose the next singles. The poll is divided into three categories. The second category asks the fans to choose between "Champion", "HOV Lane", and "I Am Your Leader". "Champion" had the most votes and won the poll[1], second was "HOV Lane", and third was "I Am Your Leader". Minaj confirmed that "Champion" would be the next urban single from the album[2] and that a video was supposed to be filmed for Champion but she decided to release a video for "I Am Your Leader" instead.[3]
Composition[]
The song features boast-heavy verses about how she's better than all the other "bitches".[4] The octaves in the song gives gleefully pompous effect to the song.[5] She uses her vocal shifts for "punchlines", internal commentary, and have fun with her voice.[5]
Critical reception[]
The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly and Kevin Ritchie from NOW Magazine labeled it as one of the best song in the album, while Anderson called it "best track, icy"[6], Ritchie called it "top track".[7] Adam Fleischer from XXL Magazine called it a "memorable moment" and, though that it "lack real substance", the song stays "generally exciting."[4] Alex Thornton from HipHop DX gave the song a positive review saying that the song is a "much-needed reminder of what made Nicki appealing to begin with—a fun streak of pink across an otherwise dark landscape."[8] Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine commented the song as an "excellent track which manage to sound both bubbly and heavy."[9] It was also one of the fews songs that Cole reviewed positively.
Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania from RapReviews.com said that "everyone [is] riding the beat as expected" as if the song was not something special or worthwhile comment.[10] David Amidon from PopMatters gave the song a mixed review saying that, if it was less of Minaj, it could "find strength in the summer."[11]
Music video[]
| Music Video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Premiere | August 24, 2012 |
| Filmed | August 6, 2012 (unconfirmed) | |
| Director | Colin Tilley | |
| Producer | Andrew Listermann | |
| Production co | Riveting Ent. | |
| Exec. producer | Jeff Panzer | |
| Editor | ||
| Choreographer | ||
| Length | 3:45 | |
| Source | [1] | |
Background[]
On July 5, Minaj ask her fans if they want a video for "I Am Your Leader".[12] On August 14 the video for "I Am Your Leader" was confirmed to be shot in the future.[13] It was shot by director Colin Tilley.[13]
On August 23, Minaj suddenly tweeted "Should I drop the "I am your leader" video tomorrow?... or next week?"[14] which caused a big buzz on Twitter since many of her fans didn't expect that she'll release a new music video so soon ("Pound the Alarm" video was released just three weeks ago). She later, on the same day, revealed the premier date of the video.[15] It premiered on August 24 on VEVO. In the video, it has a snapshot of Minaj that ends up on the Re-Up album cover.
Live performances[]
Minaj performed I Am Your Leader for the first time on 106 & Park on April 3, 2012, along with "Roman Reloaded", "HOV Lane", "Champion ", "Beez in the Trap", "Right by My Side" and "Fire Burns". The song was on the set list of her Pink Friday Tour, on all dates. She also performed the song on The Today Show's summer concert series.
Credits[]
Personnel:
- Recorded by: Ariel Chobaz & John Rivers
- Recording Assistant: Jon Sher
- Mixed by: Ariel Chobaz
- Mix Assistant: Jon Sher
The credits for "I Am Your Leader" are adapted from the liner notes of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.[16]
Charts[]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 71 |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Nicki Minaj]
Uh, look, sucker, this my gun butt-uh
Street fighter, bitches, this the up-cut-uh
Nunchuk-uh, no time to duck-uh
Sign of the cross, 'cause this is her last supper
Play wit' me, check who came wit' me
I bought a couple nines, plus the Ks with me
I breeze through Queens to check some bad bitches
I stunt so hard, assess the damages
'Cause this that "Oh," this is that "Oh"
And yes, I body bitches, go get the bandages
Y-Y-Y-Young Yummy, fuck you got for me?
I hate a phony bitch that front that chum-chummy
I'm me, top shotta, drop the top, top-uh
Big fat pussy wit' a icy watch
[Hook: Nicki Minaj]
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
[Verse 2: Nicki Minaj]
Yo, when I fly, it's one letter and one number
You wack hoes could get hot for one summer
After that, the Queen'll still reign here
I'm Santa Claus to these hoes without a reindeer
Saint Nick, Ross, hey, Rick
I just got a toy, cost eight fifty
Now I'm in the hood, n***** is gettin' woodies
Hit up Hot Topic, Nicki Minaj hoodies
I-I-I-I-I'm a brand, bitch, I'm a brand
Go to Harlem and get Cam
It's Dipset, get your dick wet
Boarded a big jet and got a big check
Now you tell me, who the fuck is winnin'?
I'm on my Russell Simmon, Nicki denim, Nicki linen, kyuh
[Hook: Nicki Minaj & Rick Ross]
I am your leader (Ugh), yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
[Verse 3: Rick Ross]
Jealous n***** is gossip, watch me tie up my laces (Ugh)
Bitches be jocking, tell by the look on they faces
Eight digits I'm clocking, a lot of gold in my bracelet (Woo)
Seven figures on watches; I told my mama I made it (Ha-ha
Made a deal for my project; just give me ten mil', I'm gravy (Gravy)
I went back to the projects, in two mil of Mercedes
I get head from your lady; have her bill me later
I'm old school with the hustle, just gave Rihanna my pager
Heartbreak hotel, I'm in the A-Rod suite
Rolls Royce wood, I'm talking playoff seats
Know that boy busy balling, I like to play all week
Monday night with the RAW, I’m Vince McMahon with a beat
Power-slamming them hammers, I get you handled for free (Uh)
So where the fuck is her manners? She give me brain while I tweet
DM, in the BM, you "cm"; you bucket, you love it
Motherfuckers on my dick, suck it
[Hook: Nicki Minaj]
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
[Verse 4: Cam'ron]
Ugh, see the car is European but got imported from Tokyo (It did)
Looking like a shark; the nose, call it Pinocchio (No lie)
Well off, wealthy, LV logo (Uh-huh)
Middle of July, but the wrist on snow-flow (Swish!)
Only do the Aspens, y'all can have the Poconos (Y'all can have that)
I'm Sonny, and you my son (Calogero)
Ride the whip, five on the hip, live with the pies, got nine for the flip
High with a bitch, she cry for the dick, oh my, know why? I'm fly as it gets
Now I need a Aspirin; she said, "You're only Cameron"
Girlfriend, you don't know Cameron from nowhere, so don't go tampering (Watch ya mouth)
You're just a nail, I hammer (Yup!) 'Nother girl that's on my camera (Yup!)
My name, you cannot slander at all, girl, watch your manners (Yup!)
She run and tell her mother, "I think I love him, Nana."
Because you sat upon my lap? Nah! I ain't Santa (Nope!)
They call me "Pied Piper," OJ no glove I knife her
Never been a lifer, even do Rikers, why would I fight? Don’t even like her (Ch-ch)
[Hook: Nicki Minaj]
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
[Outro: Nicki Minaj]
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
I am your leader, yes, I am your leader
You not a believer, suck a big dick
References[]
- ↑ MyPinkFriday.com Take the Poll & Pick Nicki's Next Single! Retrieved August, 26, 2012.
- ↑ Yes. Champion is next urban single > RT @DestinyAdams54: @nickiminaj Will you do a video for champion and Roman Holiday? Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ↑ Twitter: Shooting "Champion" next week in a very "special" "sacred" place. :) Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Adam Fleischer from XXL Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Tom Ewing from The Guardian. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ↑ Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) Nicki Minaj Review by Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ↑ Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (Cash Money/Universal) Review by Kevin Ritchie from NOW Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ↑ Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Alex Thornton from HipHop DX. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ↑ Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ↑ Nicki Minaj :: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - Cash Money Records Review by Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania from RapReviews.com. Retrieved August, 2012.
- ↑ Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by David Amidon from PopMatters. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ↑ Twitter: Who wants a video for 'I am your leader'?
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Nicki Minaj Shooting Video For "I Am Your Leader" Retrived August 16, 2012.
- ↑ Twitter: Barbz, should I drop the "I am your leader" video tomorrow?... or next week?... Hmmm *thinks* Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Twitter: Ok barbz, #iamyourleadervideo premieres tomorrow on vevo. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Digital booklet of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
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